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From the cranberry sauce to the stuffing to the perfectly roasted turkey, there's a lot of prep work that goes into a big Thanksgiving feast. There's so much to focus on that sometimes appetizers can get lost in the mix or left to the very last minute. To avoid the same old snack spread, we've rounded up these outrageously delicious small bites to start the big meal off on a high note.

Note: We've listed ingredients you can easily shop online — but perishables and produce we recommend buying in stores.

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Thyme Pistachio Cranberry Cheeze Ball (Vegan)

Murielle Banackissa

This Thyme Pistachio Cranberry Cheeze Ball from Simple Mills is so rich, creamy, and decadent, your guests might not even realize it's totally dairy-free. Made with cashew cheese studded with tart dried cranberries, crunchy toasted pistachios, and fragrant thyme, this appetizer features some of the most classic flavors of Thanksgiving combined into one satisfying spread for crackers, pita, or raw veggies.

This puff pastry-based appetizer recipe from the Italian culinary masterminds at Giovanni Rana is a lighter and crispier take on traditional pizza. Tangy goat cheese, fragrant pesto, and juicy cherry tomatoes shine in this flaky and flavorful riff on a classic pie. We recommend using multicolored red, yellow, and orange heirloom tomatoes for this recipe to mimic the gorgeous hues of fall foliage.

A classic crudité is not only vibrant, fresh, and colorful, but it's also one of the quickest and easiest appetizer spreads to put together. This vegan crudité from Minimalist Baker features a quick homemade macadamia nut cheese that can be whipped up in literally five minutes — no soaking required! Roasted root veggies like beets or parsnips pair especially well with this vegan nut cheese, but don't be afraid to get creative with other crunchy seasonal veggies.

What better way to serve bacon than wrapped around cheese-stuffed baked jalapeños? These addictively tasty bites from Delish will add some serious heat to your appetizer spread. Oh, and did we mention you'll only need five ingredients?

Even if you're not vegan, this easy appetizer by Minimalist Baker is a simple but delicious twist on a classic appetizer that even meat-lovers will appreciate. Black rice gives these roasted, stuffed mushrooms a luxuriously hearty texture and nutty flavor, and vegan parmesan cheese (made with cashews and nutritional yeast) adds a salty and rich bite.

In case you haven't heard, cauliflower is having a bit of a moment right now, which means you should probably add this crispy, crunchy, super satisfying fried cauliflower recipe by The Clever Carrot to your appetizer repertoire. We especially love the tangy dill yogurt sauce — save the leftovers as a smear for Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches the next day.

Earthy Brussels sprouts and nutty parmesan cheese are a match made in heaven in this creamy, rich dip by Minimalist Baker. Serve it with your choice of crackers, crostini, or chips for an easy pre-meal snack.

Put a spin on your usual cranberry sauce by making this version by Oh She Glows that features sweet and floral pears. Pair it with these earthy vegan meatballs and then serve it with your meal, making this recipe a double-duty knockout.

Easy to make in advance, these crowd-pleasing mini meatballs by Culinary Ginger get an upgrade with the addition of plenty of parmesan cheese and pancetta. Try serving them on toothpicks as a perfect snack while your turkey roasts to perfection in the oven.

Smoky kielbasa, tender caramelized onions, and flaky puff pastry form a delicious trifecta in this simple yet sophisticated recipe from Delish. We think your guests will keep coming back for more of these zesty, tasty treats.

Cornbread dressing (also known as stuffing) made with savory, salty cornbread is a staple in many Southern households, but these muffins by Love & Lemons take on a uniquely sweet touch for a pre-dinner snack that'll keep your pie cravings at bay. Slather them with maple butter for a perfectly decadent starter.

Danielle St. PierreFood & Drink EditorDanielle is the food & drink editor for BestProducts.com, where she's been voraciously eating and drinking her way through the best oyster bars and pinot noir wines, and putting her knowledge as a cocktail consultant and connoisseur to use; Her work can also be spotted on Thrillist and Delish.

Sally KaplanI spend my whole day covering sales and deals for BestProducts.com and then trying not to shop them while I’m at work.